Las Vegas Raiders: Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock did their job revamping the defense

HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 28: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 28, 2021 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 28: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 28, 2021 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) /
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Jan 3, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) is brought down by Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) is brought down by Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Raiders: Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock did their job revamping the defense

Linebackers

The linebacker group looked like it would be mostly the same from last season, with Nicholas Morrow, Cory Littleton, and Nick Kwiatkoski returning. However, we did see the rise of Tanner Muse this summer, as he has looked like a starter for the Silver and Black, and Javin White appeared to be someone who would make the roster, and have a role as well.

With White and Muse going down, the Raiders had to call an audible, and they did so in a big way by bringing in veteran guys who not only can perform at a high level but are familiar with Bradley’s system. Days after trading for Denzel Perryman, the Raiders added K.J. Wright via free agency, and all of a sudden, this huge question mark looks like a strength.

Wright may be getting up there in age, but he is still a very good player and was ranked at No. 67 of the top-100 by his peers this offseason. If healthy, Perryman is a standout for this defense, and when you consider a new scheme for Littleton, and what Kwiatkoski brought to the table last season, this is suddenly a very deep unit thanks to all the moves.